Cable-winding apparatus



Dec. 25, 1923. 1,478,756-

A. E. NORRIS CABLE WINDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 5, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. E. NORRIS CABLE WINDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 5, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inve 2 2 0 2 efliznonlfl'lvbwvrla claims.

Patented Dec. 25, 1923.

UNITED STATES ALMON E. .NORRIS, OF BROO KLINE, MASSACHUSETTS.

v CABLE-WINDING APPARATUS.

Application filed January 8, 1921.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, ALMoN E. Nomus, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brookline, county of Norfolk, and a State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Cable-Winding Apparatus, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawto ings representing like parts.

This invention relates to cable winding apparatus and is more particularly, though not exclusively, concerned with winches and other hoists havin special application to 115 motor trucks, in w ich case the power for driving the cable windin spool is derived from the usual engine t rough any wellknown or suitable transmission ear.

My invention will be best unferstood by 2 reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of one illustrative embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in vertical section of a portion of a motor truck equipped with a winch exemplifying my inso .vention; and

Fig. 2 .is a rear elevation of the same partly in vertical section.

' Referring to the drawings and to the embodiment of my invention which I have sen as lected for exemplification, there is shown a motor truck frame comprising a pair of usual generally parallel channel bars 4 connected by one or more cross members 6 and supporting a usual transmission gear set 40 comprising a casing 8, a main shaft 10, a

counter-shaft 12, sometimes called a la shaft, and a power take-off shaft 14, whic may be suitably driven by gearing (not shown) from the counter-shaft. Suitably t mounted on the power take-01f shaft is a" Serial No. 434,421.

leads to a point adjacent to the drivers seat convemently located for operation without leaving his place. This, however, is not shown because it is not essential to'the illustration of my present invention.

The cable winding mechanism herein selected for exemplification is a. vertical winch, although my invention is not restricted in its application to such type of construction, but may be variously embodied, as for example in horizontally arranged winches and cable winding drums. In the embodiment shown the winch comprises a usual cable .winding spool 18 rotatably mounted on a suitable base 20 and driven by any usual or suitable mechanism including a shaft 22 to which is secured a sprocket wheel 24. It is usual to connect the shaft to the spool by a worm carried by the shaft and a Worm gear meshing with the worm and secured to the spool. This gearing is conveniently housed within the base 20, but is not herein shown, because it is deemed unnecessary to a proper understanding of my present invention.

The base 20 is herein provided with a laterally projecting flange 26 mounted in a novel manner on the chassis frame of the truck. In the present example the support ing structure comprises a pair of generally parallel bars 28, preferabl angle irons having outwardly directed orizontal flanges 30, upon which the base 20 rests, downwardly directed vertical flanges 32, the latter being suitably supported on the channel bars 4 as by a pair of brackets 34 each having a pair of legs 36 and a rigid connection 38 between said legs. Preferably the bracket is an arch-like formation, as clearly shown inFig. 1, conveniently a casting having a horizontal reinforcing flange t0 and a pair of vertical reinforcing flanges t2, the

latter being extended from the legs 36 m an upward direction beyond the flange and presenting upstandin lugs 44. to which the flanges 32 are suitab y secured as by bolts 46. Preferably the flanges are similarly secured to the flange 26 of the base 20 by bolts 48. The legs 36 of the brackets are suitably secured to the channel bars 4 as by bolts extending therethrough. Referring to Fig. 2 preferably the brackets are provided with inwardly; directed vertical ribs 52 seated upon the upper sides of the channel bars 4, and thus sustaining the weight of the superstructure upon the substructure. r

The sprocket wheel 16 drives the sprocket wheel 24 through appropriate driving connections, herein comprising an intermediate shaft 54 journaled in suitable bearing brackets 56 and 58 secured to the flanges 32 of the transverse angle irons. Sprocket wheels 60 and 62 secured to the shaft 54 at opposite ends thereof are connected, one by a chain 64 to the sprocket wheel 16, and the other by a chain 66 to the sprocket wheel 24. The tension of each chain may be adjusted independently of the other by making provision on the one hand for adjustment of the base 20 lengthwise of the angle irons 28,

and on the other hand by making the angle irons longitudinally adjustable upon the supporting brackets 34. This is conveniently accomplished in the present example by providing the flange 30 with longitudinal slots 68 for the bolts 48, and by providing the flange 32 with longitudinal slots 70 for the bolts 46 (see Fig. 2). By simply loosening the bolts 48, the base 20 may be moved lengthwise of the angle irons, thereby to adjust the tension of the chain 66, after which the bolts are tightened to prevent the adjust" ment from becoming disturbed. other hand, by simply loosening the bolts 46,

On the the angle irons may be adjusted lengthwise, thereby tightening or slackening the chain 64, and when the proper adjustment has been obtained, the bolts are tightened thereby to preserve the proper adjustment. Thus it is evident that the adjustment of each chain can be accomplished independently of the other.

In the case of a cable winding apparatus of the particular type shown, the latter is superimposed upon the chassis frame and the latter supports any usual or suitable flooring 72'appropriate for the base of the winch. The driving connections for the latter are entirely below the floor with exception of the upper part of the sprocket wheel 24, which is referably housed by a casing 74 appropriate y supported preferably on the Y base 20. One important feature of my invention is that the supporting structure for the winch affords convenient access to the described driving mechanism, more especially with reference to reaching from the sides of the chasis. The supporting structure presents maximum strength combined with minimum weight. One important factor in this is the use of the angle irons with the outwardly directed horizontal flanges and the downwardly directed vertical flanges. When the winch is in use on a motor truck, the direction of pull on the windng spool is toward the rear, that is to say, 1n a dlrectlon transverse to the angle irons. This being so, there is a tendency to bend or how the latter in a rearward direction intermediate points of attachment to the supporting brackets. This places one of the horizontal flanges in compression and the other in tension. This is as it should be, because one stress is opposed to the other. Moreover, there is a tendency to overturn the winch owing to the rearward pull on the winding spool. This places one of the vertical flanges in tension and the other in compression and here again one is opposed to the other. Finally considering the rear angle iron its horizontal flange is in tension while its vertical flange is in compression. On the other hand, considering the forward angle iron its horizontal flange is incompressionand its vertical flange in tension. Thus in each angle iron the tension'in one flange is opposed by compression. in the other. It follows that this arrangement presents the greatest possible strength with least possible weight, all of which is important in an apparatus of this kind, es ecially when used on a motor truck. nother advantage of the described construction is that the supporting structure is in termediate the chassis frame and the'floor and supported independently of the latter with the result that any distortion of the floor has no effect on the driving mechanism of the winch. The driving mechanism, although disposed almost entirely between the floor and the chassis frame, is readily accessible for purposes of inspection, adjustment and repair.

Having thus described one embodiment of my invention but without limiting myself thereto, what I claim and desire by Letters Patent to secure is:

1. In a cable winding apparatus, the combination of a winding spool, driving.mech

anism thereof, and supporting means for said spool and its driving mechanism, including. two pairs of bars, one pair transverse to and above the other, and a pair of brackets sustaining the upper pair of bars upon the lower, each bracket having a pair of legs and a connection between said legs.

2. In a cable winding apparatus, the conihaving uprights secured to said bars, and a spool support extending transversely of said bars and supported on said brackets.

4. In a ca 1e winding apparatus, the C01) raven ea bination of a winding spool, driving mechanism therefor,and a supporting structure for said spool and its driving mechanism, in-

cluding a pair of bars, a pair of arch-like brackets having uprights secured to said bars, and a spool support extending transversely of said bars and supported on said brackets.

5. In a cable winding apparatus, the combination of a Winding spool, driving mechanism therefor, and a supporting structure for said spool and its driving mechanism including a pair of channel bars having vertical webs, a pair of brackets secured to said webs, and a spool support extending transversely of said bars and supported on said tween said driving and driven elements.

7. The combination with a vehicle comprising two longitudinal bars, of uprights secured to said bars, respectively; transverse bars supported by said uprights; a base supported bysaid transverse bars; and a cable-winding drumhaving journal support on said base.

8. In a vehicle, the combination of two longitudinal bars presenting vertical walls, uprights secured to said walls, respectively, transverse bars supported by said upri hts, a base supported by said transverse ars, and a cable-winding drum having journal support on said base. 7

9. In a cable winding apparatus, the combination of a winding spool, and a support:

ing structure therefor comprising a base, a pair of generally parallel angle bars havmg outwardly directed horizontal flanges,

and downwardly directed vertical flanges,

supports for said vertical flanges, vertical fastening elements securing said horizontal flanges to said base, and'horizontal fastening elements securing said vertical flanges to said support.

.10. In a vehicle, the combination of a driving connection between said members and means providing for adjustment of sai driving connection by moving said mountin and said driven member relatively to sai driving member and to said support.

11. In a cable winding apparatus, the combination of a winding spool; supporting means therefor including a mountlng for 7 said spool, and la frame on which said mounting is supported; and spool drivin mechanism including drivin driven an intermediate members, and exible drivin connections, one-between said driving 1.? intermediate members and another between said intermediate and driven members, said intermediate and driven members being carried by said mounting; said supportin means having provision for adjustment 0 one of said driving connections by moving said mounting relatively to said frame.

12. In a cable winding apparatus, the combination of a winding spool; supporting means therefor including a base on which said spool is mounted, a mounting for said base, and a frame on which said mounting is supported; and spool driving mechanism including driving, driven, and intermediate members, and flexible drivings, one between said driving and intermediate members and another between said intermediate and driven members, said intermediate member bein carried by said mounting, said driven merrier being carried by said base, and said driving member being carried by said frame; said supporting means having provision for adjusting one of said driving connections by relative movement of said base and mounting and for adjusting the other chassis frame comprising two longitudinal bars, a load-supporting platform above and supported by said frame, a winding spool above said /-platform, a mounting for said spool, a transverse support for said mounting intermediate said platform and said frame, driving mechanism for said spool including a driving member supported by said transverse, intermediate support, ,3 driven member carried by said mounting, "a flexible of said driving connections by relative movement of said mounting and frame.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a winding spool, a supporting structure therefor and a driving mechanism therefor, said supporting structure including, a superstructure on which said spool is mounted, a substructure on which said superstructure is mounted, said driving mechanism including a driving member on said substructure, a driven member on said superstructure, and a flexible driving connection between said members, and said supporting structure having provision for the adjustment of the tension of said driving connection by relative movement of parts of said supporting structure.

14.. In a vehicle, the combination of two longitudinal bars presenting vertical walls; uprights secured .to and upstanding from said bars, respectively, and presenting upright transverse walls; transverse bars secured to said transverse walls and presenting horizontal walls; a base superimposed upon said horizontal walls; and a cable-winding drum having journal support an said base.

15. In a vehicle, the combination of two longitudinal bars presenting vertical, longisuperimposed upon said oppositely directed,

tudinal walls; vertical, transverse walls suphorizontal walls; and a cable-Winding drum ported by said longitudinal walls; trans having journal support on said base.

verse bars presenting vertical walls secured In testimony whereof, I have signed my 5 to said vertical, transverse Walls and prename to this specification.

senting also oppositely directed, horizontal walls; a base presentlng a horizontal wall ALMON E.'NORRIS. 

